This week we study the Parsha of Emor. This Torah portion speaks about the laws which are special for the Kohanim, specifically concerning whom they may marry. 

We also learn how an animal must be at least 8 days old before it can be brought up as a sacrifice.

The second half of Emor teaches us about the different sacrifices brought to celebrate the holidays and Shabbat.

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Next the Torah discusses the lighting of the menorah in the Temple, and the showbread placed weekly on the table there. Emor concludes with the incident of a man executed for blasphemy, and the penalties for murder and for injuring one’s fellow or destroying his property.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe compiled a book called the Hayom Yom. In it are short and powerful messages for every day of the year. The Hayom Yom for the 25th of Iyar teaches a very special lesson.

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The Alter Rebbe said the following in Liozna in the year 1795: 

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“The reward for a mitzvah is a mitzvah.”The very essence of the mitzvah is itself the reward for the mitzvah. This essence will be revealed in the Ultimate Future. That is [only] the principal of the mitzvah, which is preserved [for the future]. However, the fruits of the mitzvah (i.e., its side benefits) are enjoyed by a person in This World. [This applies] to every mitzvah, each in its own way. When [the person who fulfills the mitzvah] needs its particular influence, he receives it.”

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Taken from the Hayom Yom compiled by Rabbi M. Shneerson

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This week in Sefirat Haomer focuses on the characteristic of Yesod - foundation.

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Examine the bonding aspect of bonding. Every person needs and has the capacity to bond with other people, with significant undertakings and with meaningful experiences.

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To cultivate your capacity to bond, even if you have valid reasons to distrust, you must remember that G‑d gave you a Divine soul that is nurturing and loving and you must learn to recognize the voice within, which will allow you to experience other people's souls and hearts. Then you can slowly drop your defenses when you recognize someone or something you can truly trust. An additional point: Bonding breeds bonding. When you bond in one area of your life, it helps you bond in other areas.

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When Moshiach comes, we will come to the Beis Hamikdash not only for the Three Holidays of Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot, but also every Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh. Jews would travel to the Beit Hamikdash on the Holidays because they were a time of Simcha, when Hashem shared His joy. However, when Moshiach comes, Hashem’s joy will be complete, so we'll be able to come to the Beit Hamikdash on other days as well. 

The man was totally depressed.

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He was standing by the side of the road speaking through the open window of my car. His wife had left him. He had no job. Each day was a burden, and worse yet, he was a burden to the world. In his words, he was "totally useless."

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I tried to cheer him up with some words of hope, but he was firm in his belief. I left him with some optimistic thought and darted into a U-turn, happy to go on to something more cheerful.

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Suddenly he screamed, "Stop!" I slammed on the brakes just in time to see an extremely fast moving car whiz by. I said to him: "If you hadn't called out, I would have been dead now. A few seconds ago you felt useless without purpose, and now you have saved my life! From this moment on, every good deed I do will also be credited to your account." His face lit up, as the many months of depression fell away.

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Every single person has their specific purpose in life, their reason for being created and living in this world. No day is a waste and one is always exactly where they are supposed to be.